825 Technologies

04/23/2026

April 😎 Newsletter: Cyberattacks are #1 fear, SMB Productivity Hacks, MS Price increases, and some fun! -

Spring is in bloom, and each year I am always stunned by the suddenness of trees leaving out or peonies growing. One night there is nothing but dirt and trunks, but maybe you see the slightest evidence of a bud. Then the next morning the leaves on the tree limbs are spreading and the peonies’ shoo...

04/16/2026

🗂️ SMBs 📈
Microsoft just dropped April Patch Tuesday (167 security fixes) — and one SharePoint issue is already being used in real attacks.

What to do this week:
- Patch SharePoint Server first (CVE-2026-32201).
- Make sure Windows updates are rolling out to all PCs/laptops.
- Confirm Microsoft Defender is updating automatically.
- If you have remote workers, patch those laptops ASAP.

Want us to help you prioritize and confirm everything’s covered? Send us a message.

04/14/2026

✨Good Google Workspace news for businesses that handle sensitive info.🔐

Google is adding Gmail end-to-end encryption on mobile (Android/iPhone) for organizations using client-side encryption (CSE). (Google Workspace Updates)

What to do as an SMB:
- Make sure your team knows what “encrypted email” means (and when to use it)
- Double-check your Workspace security policies before turning anything on broadly
- Try it with a small pilot group first

If you want help tightening up Google Workspace security settings, reach out to 825 Technologies.

04/09/2026

Most cyberattacks don’t start with “hacking.”
They start with a rushed click.

Here’s a simple rule for this week:

If an email, text, or chat involves urgency, money, passwords, or account changes… pause.
+ Don’t click links.
+ Don’t open attachments.
+ Don’t reply in the same thread.

Instead, verify through a second channel you control:
+ Call the known phone number (not the one in the message)
+ Log in by typing the website address yourself
+ Start a brand-new email to your usual contact

And for our team: if something feels even slightly suspicious, forward it to IT and let us handle it—don’t try to “figure it out” on your own.

**Slow down. Verify. Then act.**

04/07/2026

SMBs: ransomware is still hitting hard — and the playbook is changing.

Bitdefender estimates 750–800 U.S. organizations were hit in just Jan–Feb 2026.

Takeaways for small teams:
+ Backups aren’t enough — you need tested restores (RTO/RPO) and an offline copy.
+ Identity-first attacks are rising (credential + session token theft) — tighten MFA + conditional access.
+ Patch faster, especially internet-facing systems (VPN/firewall) and common apps.
+ Make sure your EDR/AV is current and tuned — attackers are leaning into defense evasion.

If you want a quick ransomware readiness check, we’ll help you prioritize the top 5 fixes.

What’s the one area you’re least confident about today: backups, patching, or identity security?

04/06/2026

As many families are heading into Spring Break, we’re adjusting our schedule slightly this week.

Our team will be prioritizing service-related and support inquiries while spending some time with family on select days. Project work will be minimally scheduled and may experience slight delays.

We appreciate your understanding and hope you’re able to enjoy the warmer weather and a well-deserved break!

04/03/2026

Outlook has been a frustration for everyone at some time or another - you can't even get away from it in space!!! 🤣

As a matter of fact, in our office we sometimes call it LookOut!

If you need help with any software, especially Outlook, feel free to let us know!!

And no, Commander Reid Wiseman didn't ask Copilot for assistance.

04/02/2026

Quick Teams security win for SMBs.

Microsoft is rolling out Protection reports in the Teams admin center so admins can review/export user-reported suspicious calls (and later chats/channels).

What to do:
- Turn on reporting in Teams settings
- Tell your team what “suspicious” looks like
- Decide who reviews reports (and how fast)

Want a one-page Teams reporting cheat sheet for your staff? Comment “Teams” and we’ll share one.

04/01/2026

**SMBs using Fortinet: this is a patch-now moment.**
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Security researchers are reporting active exploitation of a critical FortiClient EMS bug (CVE-2026-21643) that can lead to remote code ex*****on.

*What to do this week:*
+ Confirm whether FortiClient EMS is internet-exposed
+ Patch/upgrade FortiClient EMS immediately
+ Lock down admin access (MFA + IP restrictions)
+ Review logs for unusual requests and new admin activity
+ If you’re not sure whether you have FortiClient EMS in your environment, ask your IT provider to confirm.

Want a quick checklist for validating exposure and patch status? We've build a quick reference here:

03/26/2026

Quick heads-up: fake “support” messages in chat are a thing.

FBI/CISA warned about phishing where attackers pretend to be app support and try to get you to share a verification code or PIN — that can lead to an account takeover.
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A few practical tips for SMBs:
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+ Never share a verification code or MFA prompt with anyone

+ If “support” reaches out in a DM, stop and verify another way

+ If you think you clicked or shared something, tell IT immediately (fast reporting helps a lot)
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If you want, we can help you set simple rules for your team and tighten account security.

Question: what chat apps does your team use most (Teams, Slack, Signal, WhatsApp, something else)?

03/24/2026

Tax season brings a spike in phishing.

Microsoft is seeing tax-themed emails (W-2s, 1099s, IRS notices, “CPA messages”) trying to steal Microsoft 365 logins — and some even push “remote support” software that attackers can use to get in.

A few quick SMB moves this week:
+ Tell your team: don’t scan QR codes or open surprise tax attachments
+ Make sure MFA is turned on for everyone
+ Only allow approved remote support tools (and block the rest)

Want us to sanity-check your Microsoft 365 email/security settings before the busy season peaks? Message us.

Question: do your “finance” emails go to a shared inbox or a specific person?